“I am not sorry when silence becomes singing.” (Portion of “The Gladdest Thing: I Am a Little Church (No Great Cathedral).” Taken from the website www.annasims.me/2012/11/i-am-little-church-no-great-cathedral.html.

The poem could have been written for Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church, Plain Dealing.

It is a little church on a country road and in north Bossier Parish, which the Rev. Bill Searight serves as pastor.

As small as it is, as tiny as its active 17-member congregation, Cottage Grove has a mission. It serves its members, its community and, in the service of two members to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. (U.S.A.), the world.

The congregation makes a difference, one service, one project, one tradition at a time.

At church member Kitty Coyle’s suggestion — well, gentle coaxing from time to time — we drive to a rather remote area of north Bossier to see the church, hear about its rich heritage and were impressed with what it does.

But, mainly in this column and at Coyle’s request to tell our readers about its annual revival, a longtime church tradition open to the public.

The program will be at 7 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, with the Rev. Chris Currie, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Shreveport, delivering the messages with the theme “If a Presbyterian Tree Falls in the Forest, Will It Make a Sound?”

First-time arrivals to this place in the woods will find a brick church built on a rise of hill, a soaring cross-topped steeple, an intriguing cemetery where Civil War veterans lie and, in back, an oil well that pumps in slowly some $80 a month for the church.

Arches define both the windows and doors while old-fashioned globe lights illuminate the sanctuary. The sturdy pews are softened with crimson cushions.

Although it is air conditioned today, its frosted windows closed, Kitty remembers when it was not. “All the windows would be open and you could hear the birds and look at the trees,” she recalled as we sat in the church, cooled by vintage ceiling fans.

There have been weddings in recent years, a baptism a few months back and, with an aging congregation, funerals are not uncommon

Its history even includes the story of a 1933 bank robber who found shelter there on a snowy night.

And, though the congregation is small, the church members are trying to keep it alive for the 21st century. “We are the body of Christ in the world. It is our job to do his work,” said Coyle, who has attended Cottage Grove all her life and her ancestors before her.

The service to the community includes traditional church services and programs with Plain Dealing Presbyterian Church.

One of Cottage Grove’s most popular ventures is the Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service where worshipers from all over pack the 20 pews, singing “Silent Night” as the lights are turned off and candles lit.

Church members spend a day in the nearby woods gathering smilax, holly, cedar, pine and ivy and decorating the church. (Can anything be more special?)

“It is a beautiful Christmas Eve service,” Kitty said.

Other Cottage Grove traditions and projects:

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Potluck and homecoming on Mother’s Day when members put flowers on the graves.

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“Fruits of the Spirit,” a cookbook put together in 1997 by members of Cottage Grove, Plain Dealing and Rocky Mount Presbyterian churches. Flipping through the book tells one what residents of the area were eating in the mid-1990s. There was Edna McCall’s chicken and hominy casseroles, Juanice Johnston’s squirrel mulligan and Mary Caldwell Fenet’s three-ingredient meatloaf. Cattie Jones submitted cherry crunch cake and Theresa Stevens, oatmeal cake. The much-loved late Sheila Coyle — Kitty’s sister-in-law — provided pecan tassies, while Kitty handed over chicken wings and her brother, Gravy Coyle, duck breast.

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Last spring, Cottage Grove brought in the Shreveport Opera SOX singers. “The church was packed and we plan to make it an annual event,” Kitty said.

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Hosted the North Louisiana Historical Association.

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When nearby Egypt Hill Baptist Church needed a place to worship during a building program, Cottage Grove lent its sanctuary.

“When their building program was dedicated, we went as their guests,” Kitty remembered .

One member of this tiny church, Gravy Coyle, was a delegate to General Assembly, and his wife, the late Sheila Coyle, was a longtime member of the General Assembly Council.

In the community, church members deliver Meals on Wheels, buy school supplies, uniforms and Christmas gifts for public school children whose parents cannot afford to do so.

Cottage Grove was established in 1879 as Banks Chapel. The original building burned in 1928, but a new brick structure was completed in 1929 and the first service held in 1930. And the brick building became Cottage Grove.

In 1988, a kitchen was added, with a bathroom, so the outhouse was no longer needed.

“I think it is the sweetest place on earth,” said Kitty about Cottage Grove as the interview ended.

After spending time there with her, a guest has no doubt she does.

And understands why.

It is a peaceful place with a long history in an enchanting setting.

But, there is work to be done.

A concert to lift the spirits. A program to celebrate Christmas. A project to bring smiles to children’s faces. A sharing of the facility with fellow Christians.

As part of his lectures during the revival, Currie will discuss, in part, what Presbyterians have to offer the world in deeds, service and posture.

Doesn’t that sound exactly what Cottage Grove in its own small way is doing splendidly?

Couldn’t all churches take a lesson from this small country congregation?

Maggie Martin is a Times reporter/columnist. She can be reached by calling 459-3257 or emailing mmartin@shreveporttimes.com.

From Banks Chapel to Cottage Grove

Cottage Grove was established in 1879 as Banks Chapel. The original building burned in 1928, but a new brick structure was completed in 1929 and the first service held in 1930. And the brick building became Cottage Grove.